[Pancytopenia, haemolytic anaemia, schistocytes: a frequent pathology mimicking a rare and serious pathology]

Abstract

A 83 years old woman presents to our hospital with fatigue and dyspnea since 2 weeks, followed by a painless icterus. On laboratory we discover a pancytopenia with severe haemolytic anaemia, thrombopenia and schistocytosis. This association suggest a thrombotic microangiopathy. In the presence of macrocytes, hypersegmented neutrophils and a low reticulocytes count, a vitamin screening was performed witch leads to the discovery of a vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. After initiation of a vitamin therapy we observe a reticulocytic crisis and thereafter the normalisation of the haematological parameters.